Maida Vale teacher John McDonald (pictured), 55, survived the Edgware Road bombing, helping other victims, including David Gardner, of Well Walk, Hampstead, to escape. Everything had been blown out, the windows, doors, lights, he remembers. It was com

Maida Vale teacher John McDonald (pictured), 55, survived the Edgware Road bombing, helping other victims, including David Gardner, of Well Walk, Hampstead, to escape.

"Everything had been blown out, the windows, doors, lights," he remembers. "It was completely dark. I was covered in broken glass. The fireball had burnt my eyes and my tear ducts had dried up so I couldn't see properly. There was a lump forming on my skull from metal which hit me. I thought I was going to die. There were horrific cries and screams and inside of the carriage was completely covered in smoke. I thought that if I didn't go to help people, who would? I had to overcome my own fear. Looking back, I know that on that day I was tested - now I am a stronger and better person.